Bonnie Kaplan, PhD, Professor, Depts of Paediatrics, and Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary is seeking people who were affected by the June flooding to participate in a research study:

“Much research has shown the benefit of various micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in helping people maintain good health, and cope with stress and anxiety, including following natural disasters. What we do not yet know is whether it is better to use just a few nutrients or many. We will evaluate this question in the context of the southern Alberta floods of June 2013.

It is important to all of us that participating in this study has the potential to benefit everyone who volunteers. For that reason, there will be no placebo group. Also we do not want to burden our volunteers with lots of appointments or blood samples, because they are likely very busy with flood recovery efforts. So people will be screened for the study via the internet, and all ongoing information will be collected via the internet. There will be just one appointment (an ‘intake interview’), which we will arrange near the flood sites.

People who volunteer for the study will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 nutrient formulas, and will be asked to take the capsules for 6 weeks. At the end of those 6 weeks, they can either stop, or they can continue with the formula they were taking, or they can even try one of the other formulas we are studying.

Our goal is to provide some help for people in maintaining their good health and wellbeing while struggling with post-flood stress, anxiety, depression —- and simultaneously find out if the formulas are all helpful, or if some are better than others”

The study currently has participants from High River and some other flood-affected areas of Calgary, but no-one from Inglewood as yet.

If you are interested in volunteering as a participant, or would like more information, please call the Research Coordinator, Mike Dolph at: 587-700-0915

You can also ‘like’ them on Facebook, so that you’ll know when the screening website is open: www.Facebook.com/floodstudy

STRESS REDUCTION WORKSHOPS

The Art of Living Foundation would like to be of service and help citizens affected by the flood to deal with the trauma and stress of what they have had to face. The Art of Living Foundation teaches breathing and stress reduction techniques and meditation. They have a strong history of international disaster relief, trauma relief and support for mental health. It is an international volunteer run organization. Some free meditation sessions have been set up in Bowness in conjunction with the United Way organization and they are wondering if this is something that might of interest to any Inglewood residents.

“Our Mental Health and Wellness Program seeks to address the challenges of emotionally or economically distressed communities by empowering them. The first step towards empowerment is stress-elimination and building inner confidence. This is where our sessions come in. These sessions teach simple yet powerful breathing, stretches, sound and meditation techniques which eliminate stress and increase capacity of individuals so that the mind gains the clarity to solve problems. Most importantly, these sessions remind communities of the power each individual has within, to make a difference and to be the change that they wish to see. When empowerment starts with individual transformation, it is sustainable; for communities are made up of these individuals and empowered people.”

If interested, please contact one of the following: